How to Plant Foxglove Seeds

By Katelyn Lynn ; Updated September 21, 2017

Foxglove, also referred to as Digitalis, is a perennial or an annual depending on the region. A tall-growing plant, it ranges in height from 2 to 8 feet. Foxglove comes in yellow, pink, white, purple and other pastel colors. The flowers of the Foxglove are tubular in shape, and sit on long stems. The base of the plant is bushy, with leaves that are hairy and gray-green in color.

Start Foxglove seeds indoors, since they require particular conditions to germinate. Foxglove can be slow growing, and it can take a year from germination to bloom.

Plant Foxglove seeds using a seed-starting potting mix and either peat pots, planting trays, or individual pots. Fill planting receptacles three-quarts of the way with the seed-starting mix. Water thoroughly, then let the water drain.

Place two to three seeds in each container and cover with approximately 1/8-inch of the seed-starting mix. It’s important to keep Foxglove seeds in a warm, light-filled location where the temperature is between 65 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep the seeds moist. Germination takes approximately 14 to 21 days.

Select a spot in your garden to transplant the seedlings. The area should have either full morning sun, light shade or filtered light and be easily accessible for watering.

Transplant Foxglove seedlings when they are approximately 2 to 3 inches high and any danger of frost has passed. Dig each hole twice the size of the seedling pot. Fill each hole with water, let drain. Remove your Foxglove seedling carefully from its receptacle and place it in the hole. With a trowel, put dirt around the seedling, making sure not to smother the stem. Water the seedlings. It's a good idea to place garden stakes around each Foxglove seedling to give them support as they grow.

Watch for slugs and snails, which can be an issue for Foxgloves. Use a slug/snail bait or pour beer in shallow bowls or tins to attract the garden pests away from your Foxgloves. To keep moisture in and weeds down, spread two to three inches of mulch approximately 10 to 12 inches from the base of your Foxglove plant. Water often and keep the soil moist. During the Foxglove growing season--spring and summer--fertilize once a month with a liquid-based fertilizer. In a year, you should see blossoms.

Things You Will Need

Foxglove seeds

Potting soil

Small pots or planting tray

References

Resources

About the Author

Katelyn Lynn has been writing health and wellness articles since 2007. Her work appears on various websites. Lynn is a certified holistic health practitioner who specializes in orthomolecular medicine and preventative modalities. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in health sciences from TUI University and has extensive experience in botany and horticulture.